IPL 2025: Meet Ashwani Kumar! The New Kid on The Block for Mumbai Indians
This Punjab lad nails those yorkers and is adept at deception bowling with subtle change of pace.
Emerging from the cricketing hinterlands of Punjab, Ashwani Kumar embodies the ethos of Mumbai Indians—a blend of instinct and innovation. At just 23, he doesn’t stride onto the pitch; he prowls, every step a quiet harbinger of the tempest to follow.
Ashwini's IPL debut against Kolkata Knight Riders was nothing short of impressive at Wankhede Monday night. He had a wicket off his very first ball in the IPL --- that of Ajinkya Rahane. With figures of 4 wickets for 24 runs, he dismantled KKR's batting lineup. The 23-year-old dismissed, apart from Rahane, Rinku Singh, Manish Pandey, and Andre Russell.
His ability to bowl wide yorkers can make him a valuable asset for the Mumbai Indians. His debut performance placed him among the elite bowlers who have achieved remarkable feats in their first IPL matches. Ashwani's strong effort helped the Mumbai Indians create history --- it is its 24th win over KKR in IPL history, the most dominant head-to-head in the league's history. For the record, MI registered its first victory of this IPL season defeating KKR by eight wickets with 43 balls intact. KKR was shot out for 116, and MI got the score in 12.5 overs.
Before his IPL breakthrough, Ashwani had a modest domestic record, playing in tournaments like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Sher-e-Punjab T20 tournament. Despite limited opportunities, his talent was evident, and Mumbai Indians, whose scouting team famously unearthed Jasprit Bumrah more than a decade back, recognised his potential during the IPL Auction. He was picked up at his base price of Rs 30 lakh.
Ashwani’s left-arm pace is less about brute strength and more about cricketing smarts. His variations—subtle shifts in length, sly off-cutters— are what have caught the eye of the discerning fans and commentators. But his pace is deceptive. His MI teammate and wicket-keeper Ryan Rickelton said this of him: "He's a lot quicker than you think and he rushes you a little bit lower as well. He's a great addition obviously to the group and the wicket can suit him".
And there’s a calmness to him, a placid exterior that belies the roaring ambition within. Ashwani credits the relentless encouragement of his village and the belief bestowed upon him by Mumbai Indians’ think tank.
The season is still young, but his yorkers are already the talk. If he retains his focus, Ashwani can leave an indelible mark on the cricketing world. The future looks bright for this young talent, and fans eagerly await his next spell of magic on the field. If he continues in this vein, an early call from the Indian selectors cannot be ruled out.
